DALLAS, TEXAS, Nov 21, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Today, YPO, the premier leadership organization of chief executives in the world, announced the election of J. Randall "Randy" Waterfield to YPO's highest elected office, the 2017-2018 chairman of the YPO Board of Directors. Waterfield, the 66th member to hold this office, will succeed current YPO Chairman McKeel Hagerty and begin his term on 1 July 2017.

A member of the YPO Americas Gateway Miami and YPO New York City chapters, Waterfield is the Chairman of Waterfield Group, a diversified financial services holding company that traces its origins to 1928. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, is a member of Mensa and a graduate of Harvard University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Asure Software, SMTC Corporation, Red Oak Partners, WTI Holdings and the Culver Military Summer School.

"I am honored and humbled by the board's election as YPO chairman for the 2017-2018 term. YPO has been an incredibly powerful influence on my life, business and family. I am extremely excited to give back to the organization and help steward its direction," says Waterfield.

The YPO chairman is elected by member peers on the board. Waterfield continues the legacy of YPO's founder and first president, Ray Hickok, who set the standard for peer leadership. Today, more than 30 past international chairmen are actively engaged with the organization.

"The greatest assets of YPO are embedded in the lives, experiences and gifts that our members share with us each day," says Hagerty. "Randy is one of those members who brings incredible talents and heart to everything he does in life and YPO."

Waterfield is an elected director of the YPO Board and currently serves as chair of the Information Technology Steering Committee and is a member of the Strategy Committee. He joined YPO in 2005 and served in many leadership roles in the YPO New York City Chapter, including membership, education and chapter chair. He went on to lead the Northeastern U.S. Region as its regional chair.

"Randy's YPO background is impressive but his personality and gravitas combine to form a special quality that will be incredibly valuable to us going forward," says Hagerty. "It will be a true pleasure and honor to work with him over the coming year."

About YPO

The premier leadership organization of chief executives in the world.

YPO is the global platform for chief executives to engage, learn and grow. YPO members harness the knowledge, influence and trust of the world's most influential and innovative business leaders to inspire business, personal, family and community impact.

Today, YPO empowers more than 24,000 members in more than 130 countries, diversified among industries and types of businesses. Altogether, YPO member-run companies employ more than 15 million people and generate USD6 trillion in annual revenues.